Fayaz Bukhari
SRINAGAR, May 21: At least four girls were injured when Army allegedly opened fire on people protesting against its move to host an Iftar party at DK Pora village of Shopian in South Kashmir this evening.
Sources said that the Army arrived in the village, carrying eatables and other items, prior to Iftar and had erected a mobile tent outside the mosque to host Iftar for the locals. The locals asked the Army to retreat as they were already informed by local Auqaf two days against holding of Iftar party.
Army despite objections from the local Auqaf arrived with eatables before Iftar and tried to host the Iftar party. Sources said that the locals asked them to leave but the Army resisted. This led to clashes and Army allegedly fired in which four girls were injured.
A police official said that they had no information about the Army’s Iftar party. He, however, said that some miscreants pelted stones during the party and Army fired few shots in which four girls were injured, two of them with bullet wounds.
Two seriously injured girls identified as Aqsa Jan daughter of Mohammad Ayoub Magray and Shobi Jan daughter of Abdul Qayoom Hajam. They have been referred to Srinagar for treatment.
While as two sisters Shakira Akhtar, 17, daughter of Abdul Hamid Bhat suffered injury above the ankle, Shaafi Jan, 15, has injuries in right leg. They were admitted to PHC Harmain in Shopian.
Meanwhile, a police spokesman in a statement issued here said that today, around the Iftar time, an Army patrol of 34 RR had gone to the Jamia Masjid of DK Pora village, for participating in Iftaar with the locals of the area.
“It is learnt that during the Iftar, some miscreants pelted stones on the Army . While withdrawing the Army party made some aerial firing. In the process it is learnt that 4 injuries were reported to different hospitals. All the injured are stated to be stable. Out of four injuries, one has been discharged from the hospital,” the spokesman said.
Police has taken cognizance of the episode, and started legal proceedings. A Defence spokesman said that Army is verifying the facts about the incident.
Meanwhile, police today foiled rifle snatching bid in South Kashmir’s Pulwama district while authorities imposed restrictions in parts of Srinagar today to prevent a separatist march and normal life was disrupted due to strike.
Militants today attacked a Police Post at Saidpora in South Kashmir’s Pulwama district. The Police retaliated and foiled the militants bid to snatch rifles.
No one suffered injuries in the exchange of fire on the either side. Security forces immediately cordoned off the area and launched searches.
Authorities imposed restrictions in parts of Srinagar city today to prevent a separatist march. Police and para-military CRPF were deployed in full strength and roads barricaded to prevent the march.
Separatists had called the march to Eidgah here to commemorate the death anniversaries of late Mirwaiz Maulana Mohammad Farooq and Abdul Gani Lone.
Mirwaiz Farooq was killed on May 21, 1990 while Lone was killed on May 21, 2002 by unknown gunmen.
Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, son of slain Mirwaiz Farooq, has been placed under house arrest at his Nigeen residence in the outskirts here.
Hurriyat (G) leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani has also been placed under house arrest in his uptown Hyderpora residence here while JKLF chief Yasin Malik has been taken into preventive custody.
Restrictions were imposed in the areas falling under the Police Stations of Nowhatta, Khanyar, Rainawari, MR Gunj and Safa Kadal in the old city, while partial restrictions are in place in Maisuma and Kralkhud in the uptown areas.
Exams scheduled today have been postponed by the University of Kashmir and the Islamic University of Science and Technology (IUST).
Elsewhere, normal life in Kashmir remained disrupted due to strike called by separatists. Schools, colleges, shops, business establishments remained closed and traffic was mostly off the roads.
Authorities suspended train services in Kashmir today following shutdown call issued by separatists.
The train service from Banihal to Baramulla were suspended today as precautionary measure.
In the meantime, three persons were booked under Public Safety Act (PSA) in South Kashmir’s Pulwama district today.
Danish Rashid Bhat, Hilal Ahmad Ahangir and Faisul Ahmad hailing from Drabgam, Karimabad and Pirchoo villages respectively were booked under the Act.
The trio was booked under PSA for participating in stone throwing on security forces and working as Over Ground Workers (OGWs) for militants.
Bhat is cousin of slain militant commander Sameer Tiger. He (Bhat) had quit militancy on insistence of his family.
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